This was an intriguing novel about a haunted house and a newly married couple, David and Sally, who are parapsychologist who rent the house for the summer to investigate the historical reports of paranormal happenings. Strange things do happen but is the house actually haunted? Over time, the relationship between the couple seems to deteriorate, as each of them reacts differently to their experiences in Julian's House.
This is a beautifully written story, At times, the descriptive narrative almost reads like poetry. This is a haunted house story in the tradition of Shirley Jackson and a ghost tale as cleverly obscure and ambiguous as Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw". This is as much a story of the interaction between Sally and David and their individual mindscapes, as it is a story of hauntings of an old house. Is David possessed by the ghost of Julian? Is the only way he can hope to become his former self again through an exorcism?
This is a beautifully written story, At times, the descriptive narrative almost reads like poetry. This is a haunted house story in the tradition of Shirley Jackson and a ghost tale as cleverly obscure and ambiguous as Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw". This is as much a story of the interaction between Sally and David and their individual mindscapes, as it is a story of hauntings of an old house. Is David possessed by the ghost of Julian? Is the only way he can hope to become his former self again through an exorcism?
Helpful Score: 2
Here is a true spine tingling ghost story. This home sets the recorded on haunted houses when husband and wife duo come to investagate the pharanormal happenings. Though both are trained in dealing with hauntings and both are excited when they find out that this is new house is actually haunted niether one is prepared for horror that is about to break loose. Dogs disapear lights float in mid air and both seem more and more drawn in to the past as time goes on. Now the question is not about if they can escape the haunting of the house but the possesion that the spirits have taken over them.
I loved this book and have re read it many times it really keeps you on your toes it is not only a great ghost story but a wonderful mystary as well.
I loved this book and have re read it many times it really keeps you on your toes it is not only a great ghost story but a wonderful mystary as well.
Helpful Score: 1
Sally and David Curtiss knew that the old New England house was supposed to be haunted. But tey weren't afraid of ghosts. That was before they learned there was nowhere in the house they were safe. Not even in each other's arms. Especially not there.
Here is a ghost tale..a dectective story...and a dazzling evocation of haunting.. Sally and David Curtiss knew that the old New England house was supposed to be haunted. But they weren't afraid of ghosts. That was before they learned there was nowhere in the house they were safe. Not even in each other's arms. Especially not there.
Sally and David Curtiss knew that the old New England house that they had just moved into was rumored to be haunted. However, the newly wed couple of parapsychologists were not scared at all. They had bought the house willingly and planned on studying it in order to find any evidence of supernatural activity.
Sally and David have also planned to work on some recent problems in their marriage. Sally is a somewhat reluctant psychic, and David is secretly jealous of her abilities. He has never had any psychic experiences himself, but desperately wants to have such an experience.
All of the Curtiss' hi-tech equipment shows absolutely no sign of any supernatural activity, but David is still convinced that Sally senses something in the house. As the Curtiss' continue to research the the house's strange and mysterious history, they both begin to experience unusual dreams that reveal the Curtiss' hidden fears and desires.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. The horror built slowly but surely, and the book was very well-written in my opinion. I never actually figured out what form the haunting took. At times it seemed to me that it was primarily possession that was at work, and then it seemed that the house itself had developed a personality throughout the years that was an evil influence in itself.
If I did have one problem with the book, it was that I found that the ending was slightly rushed and a little bit of a let down for me. Overall though, I give Julian's House by Judith Hawkes an A! I will definitely be keeping this book to read again at some point.
Sally and David have also planned to work on some recent problems in their marriage. Sally is a somewhat reluctant psychic, and David is secretly jealous of her abilities. He has never had any psychic experiences himself, but desperately wants to have such an experience.
All of the Curtiss' hi-tech equipment shows absolutely no sign of any supernatural activity, but David is still convinced that Sally senses something in the house. As the Curtiss' continue to research the the house's strange and mysterious history, they both begin to experience unusual dreams that reveal the Curtiss' hidden fears and desires.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. The horror built slowly but surely, and the book was very well-written in my opinion. I never actually figured out what form the haunting took. At times it seemed to me that it was primarily possession that was at work, and then it seemed that the house itself had developed a personality throughout the years that was an evil influence in itself.
If I did have one problem with the book, it was that I found that the ending was slightly rushed and a little bit of a let down for me. Overall though, I give Julian's House by Judith Hawkes an A! I will definitely be keeping this book to read again at some point.
I never do this, but I just couldn't help myself. This was the most boring and disappointing "ghost story" I've every encountered. I've been reading this genre since I was in the 8th grade (I'm 51 now), so that is saying something. The characters are unsympathetic and the actual haunting never really gets of the ground. Don't waste your time or credit on this one. Randy
This book was a very easy book to understand. It does skip around some with the characters. All in all a good read.
A troubled, married pair of paranormal researchers spends time in a haunted house.
I really enjoyed this book, found the story line quite interesting and it kept me reading until the very end. Will look for more books by this author!
This book has a great ghost story.When i got it the cover front and back is very worn out but it is readable.You have to be carefull when reading but worth reading it.Robin
